The Daily Pilgrimage

Today in the Roman year

Pentecost teaches that the Holy Ghost does not create private religious enthusiasm detached from doctrine, worship, and authority. He gathers, sends, teaches, and strengthens the visible Church. The remnant must therefore seek fire without disorder and zeal without novelty.

Perform one hidden act of charity without seeking notice or return.

Roman Martyrology

July 20

The festival of St. Jerome JEmiliani, confessor, -- founder of the Congergation of Somascha. Gaining renown for many miracles during his life and after his death, he was inscribed among the beatified by Benedict XIV., and canonized by Clement XIII. — At Antioch, St. Margaret, virgin and martyr. — On Mount Carmel, the holy prophet Eli as. — The same day, the birthday of blessed Joseph, surnamed the Just, whom the Apostles selected with blessed Matthias for the apostleship, in the place of the traitor Judas. The lot having fallen upon Matthias, Joseph, notwithstanding, continued to preach and to advance in virtue, and after having sustained from the Jews many persecutions for the faith of Christ, happily ended his life in Judea. It is related of him that having drunk poison, he received no injury from it, because of his confidence in the Lord. — At Damascus, the holy martyrs Sabinus, Julian, Maximus, Macrobius, Cassia, and Paula, with ten others. — At Cordova, St. Paul, deacon and martyr. For rebuking Mahometan princes for their impiety and cruelty, and preaching Christ courageously, he was put to death, and went to his reward in heaven. — In Portugal, St. Wilgefortes, virgin and martyr, who merited the crown of martyrdom on a cross in defence of the faith and her chastity. — At Boulogne, in France, the abbot St. Wulmar, a man of admirable sanctity. — At Treves, St. Severa, virgin.

Highlighted saint

St. Jerome Emiliani

Confessor, founder, and father of orphans.

St. Jerome Emiliani was a Venetian soldier whose imprisonment became the beginning of deeper conversion. After his deliverance, he gave himself to works of mercy with a special love for orphans and abandoned children.

He founded the Congregation of Somascha so that mercy would not remain passing emotion, but become stable Catholic service. His witness is especially tied to fatherly care, catechesis, and protection for children without ordinary guardians.

Let St. Jerome Emiliani widen the heart toward the unprotected. Charity becomes Catholic when it takes form, bears cost, and guards souls for God.

Breviary Witness

Mercy for children without protection.

Matins - St. Jerome Emiliani

• The Breviary honors St. Jerome Emiliani as confessor and founder, a Venetian soldier converted through trial and remembered for works of mercy made stable by Catholic discipline.
• His witness directs charity toward the abandoned and the unprotected, especially orphans and children in need of fatherly care.

Let mercy take responsibility. The abandoned need prayer, order, protection, and Catholic charity strong enough to endure.

Truth of the Faith

Hold the Traditions

Apostolic tradition is not nostalgia. It is the handing down of what the Church received from Christ and the Apostles.

Prayer

O Lord, make my charity patient without weakness, firm without harshness, and always ordered toward the salvation of souls.